Borno State Police Command has deployed operatives to comb forests in Askira/Uba Local Government Area after suspected ISWAP terrorists attacked a secondary school and abducted an unspecified number of students writing NECO examinations.
The incident occurred on Monday morning at Government Day Secondary School in Lassa community when gunmen on motorcycles stormed the premises around 9 a.m., shooting sporadically. One or two teachers were reportedly killed, with others injured, while students and food vendors were also taken. Borno State Police Command spokesperson Nahum Daso confirmed that security forces confronted the attackers, limiting the scale of the abduction. “The CP deployed the Area Commander in Askira/Uba. They are currently combing the bush,” he said. Residents and local leaders, including Solomon Kwamagar and Samaila Kaigama, described the attackers as wearing military and forest guard uniforms, with some claiming they passed through a military checkpoint.
This latest attack comes weeks after another abduction in the same local government area on May 16, where 42 students and pupils were kidnapped. Efforts to get comments from the Askira/Uba Local Government Chairman and the state Commissioner for Information were unsuccessful as operations were ongoing. The abduction highlights the persistent insecurity in parts of Borno despite ongoing military operations. Security experts warn that such incidents undermine education and heighten fear among residents in the North-East. The police have assured that search and rescue efforts are in top gear to recover the victims safely.
The attack on the school during examinations has sparked widespread outrage, with parents and education stakeholders demanding stronger protection for learning institutions in the region. Borno State has witnessed repeated abductions of students, raising questions about the effectiveness of security measures around schools in vulnerable areas. The incident also underscores the continued threat posed by ISWAP and other terrorist groups in the North-East, where ungoverned spaces continue to provide safe havens for extremists.
Stakeholders have called for improved intelligence sharing, community engagement, and better protection of educational facilities to prevent future attacks. The police and military are expected to intensify operations in the area to rescue the abducted students and neutralise the perpetrators. The development comes at a time when the federal government is pushing for decentralised policing through the State Police Bill, which many believe could enhance local response capabilities.
